Janus Geminus is the Roman God of gates, doors, beginnings and endings. He is depicted as having two faces, to signify his two sides. The Romans sacrificed to him to protect their houses and sacred buildings, and also on the New Year (hence, January). Saturn gave Janus the gift to see into the future and the past. In more modern times, Janus's name has been used in cell biology, and when you google Janus you come up with lots of interesting depictions of two faced men. Janus-faced can mean two faced. Interestingly enough, it's also where we get the word janitor, the caretaker of doors and halls.
So, here's to ends that lead to beginnings and keeping an eye on both the past and the future.
2 comments:
"Cause the Roman Gods up to that point were crap, you know... Jeff, the god of biscuits... and Simon, the god of hair-dos." - Eddie Izzard
I have never heard of this God before - I love Greek mythology and quite enjoyed learning about a new bit of it. :)
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